Thursday, July 15, 2010

Summer is a time to slow down...to open my eyes a little wider, to observe a little closer, and to linger a little longer. I love nothing more than the peace of being alone in nature on a crisp summer day, capturing the world around me through the lens of my camera. When I bring out my SLR it signals a good thing, as it usually means my curious heart is discovering some place new, where the only commitment or time constraint I have is to take in its beauty for as long as I desire. Pure summer bliss!

Who Do You Write Like?I Write Like is a fun little statistical analysis tool that examines a sample of your writing (such as a blog post, journal entry or chapter of your unfinished book) and matches it to a famous author. Apparently I write like Vladimir Nabokov — who knew? Via Tina's lovely English Muse.

The Story of PinkIn her latest project, photographer Lisa Kessler examines the many cultural meanings of the colour pink. Fascinating. Via ArtsJournal.

2010 Bad Writing Contest WinnersSince 1982 the English Department at San Jose State University has sponsored the Bulwer-Lytton Fiction Contest, challenging entrants to compose the opening sentence to the worst of all possible novels. Inspired by "It was a dark and stormy night," the immortal line of minor Victorian novelist Edward George Bulwer-Lytton, they haven't looked back since. Awesome.

The Extreme Art of South Pole PhotographyGreat little slideshow on NPR of those intrepid souls who photographed the South Pole, and the technical difficulties encountered (freezing camera shutters, for one).

Generation X-Wear: An Interview with Douglas CouplandBest selling author Douglas Coupland is most famous for the novel that named an epoch: Generation X. What you might not know is that he first trained to be an artist and designer — and Coupland is now the creator of a fashion line, produced by the Canadian outdoors company Roots.

The lovely etsy shop Ava Reese is a perfect example of elegant minimalism — owner Catherine's designs are in a warm monomchromatic palette of black and white, with each item made to order by hand using beautiful Italian wool felt. Gorgeous. Via Elena of Tickled Pink Knits.